A New Static Var Compensator for an Arc Furnace

This paper presents the design of an electronic compensator that can compensate the reactive current drawn by an arc furnace. Consisting of three independent single-phase pulse-width modulated (PWM) inverters, the proposed compensator responds quickly to any sudden load changes and compensates both the fundamental displacement current and the harmonic distortion current drawn by the load. Unlike conventional static var compensators, the electronic compensator can also supply the active current demanded by the load if an energy source independent of the utility is available. Simulations are conducted, including the modelling of the furnace current and voltage waveforms during the early stage of scrap melting, in order to determine the effectiveness of several suggested detection methods that can be used to separate the active and reactive components of the furnace current. Actual waveforms observed on a local furnace are included that corroborate the computer modelling. Experimental results indicate that the electronic compensator equipped with a suitable detection circuit can accurately compensate an arc furnace.